Improving ground clearance and rear axle swap/ diff lock

[Illiterate_husband]

Hello, I planning some ground clearance with my mk6 350 lwb 90 these are my ideas and I would be grateful for some guidance!

So I'm going to up the tire size, using bf TA's , but I don't know what I'd get away with.
215/75/r16's is the standard size. am I dreaming with the hope of 235/785r16?
Or I could down size to r15's and get the bigger tires?
I need a preferably common size.

I'm planing raising the suspension for the front can I (simply?) bang some spacers on the springs...has anyone else done this, is this a good way of doing things?

The rear I plan either blocks with longer U bolts or another leaf from somewhere...
On the rear axle I'd like to raise/move the rear shock mounts as they hang to low, could I just weld them higher and everything be cool as the suspension should also be raised?
Or
Could I swap the rear axle for something else, preferably with a mechanical diff lock maybe a ford ranger.

Many thanks for you help in advance

[loot]

I've got 255 55 18 on mine which are 9mm taller and have clearance, you can go online and calculate what you need

Not to sure if 15s will fit on the front.

You need to make sure that the dampers will extend to the amount you want and not bottom/top out if you want it higher.

You could possibly extend the rear shock upper mounts but you might want to put bigger bump stops on so that you don't damage the shocks if you drop down too much.

I assume you don't want to go that much higher? If so then think about the amount of angle you'll have on the rear prop.

That's just a couple of my thoughts

[Illiterate_husband]

Ah cool, thank you for taking the time to reply.
I did wonder about 15's fouling on the calipers.
Yeah don't want to go mental, i want a o keep it relatively simple(cheap) basically the same height as when it's totally unladen plus a bit from the tires, more is a bonus, nothing more than they had on the Country 4x4's...

[bigjohnthomas]

Yes my good fellow that is correct 15 inch wheels won't fit over a 350 caliper

Who ya gonna call ?


Dirk Ghostcock
Medium

[bigjohnthomas]

They will go on the back though
Puts the abs light on too

[Illiterate_husband]

Well I picked a set of steely Landy rims with 235/85/16 tyres in good nic for £50. ( from a LR garage) looks like they'll fit JUST, so I might rerill the rims or swap the tires...whatever is cheeper!
*CHEAPER

[J.R.Solutions_82]

Extending the rear shock mounts higher by welding a couple of brackets is how they doe the county 4x4's. Rear is going to be easy, spacer blocks between axle and springs or extra springs as you said - but will make the ride harsher. As for front the easy way is to take the front wheel off and slacken the bolt that holds the hub and shock together. Now all you have got to do is hammer the hub down the shock body then retighten the nut and bolt. repeat each side. Don't over do it or else the shock won't be held firmly enough buts its the easy way to gain an extra 10-15mm maybe more....

[Illiterate_husband]

Extending the rear shock mounts higher by welding a couple of brackets is how they doe the county 4x4's. Rear is going to be easy, spacer blocks between axle and springs or extra springs as you said - but will make the ride harsher. As for front the easy way is to take the front wheel off and slacken the bolt that holds the hub and shock together. Now all you have got to do is hammer the hub down the shock body then retighten the nut and bolt. repeat each side. Don't over do it or else the shock won't be held firmly enough buts its the easy way to gain an extra 10-15mm maybe more....

So just to clarify if I can get a couple of brackets welded onto the rear mounts I get to keep pretty much the same ride?

Cool so I'm going to try that to the front!
I get to use one my favourite tools!

Cheers for you help

[loot]

The rear shock height won't adjust the height, they are only there to dampen the bounce off the springs.
If you put extra springs or uprated springs on them you may get a small increase in height but more likely you'll get less drop under load, but unloaded with strong springs and you'll feel every stone on the road

If you want to raise the height substantially then that's when you need to fit shock extensions because when you go over something the shock will reach the end of its travel before the ride height does and it'll bang.


On the front there is a welded plate and the pinch bolt goes through it, if you raise it as suggested then you need to consider adjusting the plate accordingly.

Can you tell us exactly what height you are looking for? 20mm or 6"?

[Illiterate_husband]

Ah I understand about what the shocks do- sorry I should of made this clear, it's the actual mount that hangs real low that I'm thinking about raising the mount and shouldn't be a problem or will it if the leaves or block method is used or should it?

With regards to the actual height I'm aiming for roughly 2" on top of what it looks unloaded. If that makes sense?
I put those 235/85's, on one side, and it's made quite a big difference. I'll try and get some photos. Looks...different...

Cheers